Why Checking Plugin Status Matters
Have you noticed that a specific feature on your WordPress theme seems broken? I’ve had my fair share of issues, and the majority of the time plugins were the issue. Debugging the issue becomes tremendously easy once you check for an active plugin. It is possible that a recent change created an issue, or a plugin you thought was enabled is, in fact, disabled, either way, knowing what is active is key to resolving issues efficiently.
This goes beyond just fixing an issue; this pertains to also protecting your site. A stale, inactive plugin can easily be exploited by hackers. More than once, I have been guilty of not paying attention and installing unneeded plugins which eventually started causing slowdowns and increased chances of vulnerabilities. I often make use of a plugin checklist to ensure that I mark off the required ones.
Monitoring your website isn’t restricted to tech related tasks, it is a good way to simply have a site that functions. If you haven’t monitored them for some time, don’t stress because in this article we will explain how to check if a wordPress plugin is active on your site.
Method 1: Using the WordPress Dashboard
The easiest way to check if a WordPress plugin is active is right inside your dashboard. No coding, no extra tools—just a few clicks, and you’ll have your answer.
First, log in to your WordPress site. Once you’re in, look at the left-hand menu. Find the “Plugins” option and click on it. This takes you to the Installed Plugins page, where you’ll see a list of all the plugins on your site.
Now, let’s figure out which ones are active. Every plugin on the list will have either a blue highlight or a “Deactivate” button next to it. If a plugin is active, you’ll see the Deactivate button. If it’s inactive, you’ll see an “Activate” button instead. Simple, right?
If you’re trying to troubleshoot a problem, this is the first place to check. Sometimes, a plugin might be installed but not actually running. Other times, a plugin might be active but causing issues. Either way, this quick check helps you see exactly what’s going on.
So, next time something on your site isn’t working, or you just want to do a quick cleanup, head to your plugins list. It’s the easiest way to keep track of what’s running on your WordPress site.
Method 2: Checking via Code (For Developers)
If you want to check if a WordPress plugin is active using code, there’s a simple way to do it. This method is great if you’re a developer or need to automate things without relying on the dashboard.
One of the easiest ways to check a plugin’s status is by using the is_plugin_active() function. WordPress has this built-in function that lets you check if a specific plugin is running. Here’s how you can use it:
php
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if (is_plugin_active(‘plugin-folder/plugin-file.php’)) {
echo ‘The plugin is active!’;
} else {
echo ‘The plugin is not active.’;
}
Just replace “plugin-folder/plugin-file.php” with the actual folder and main file name of the plugin you want to check. This function comes in handy when you need to verify if a plugin is active before running certain code to avoid errors.
Now, if you’re dealing with must-use plugins (MU plugins), is_plugin_active() won’t work because MU plugins are always active by default. Instead, you can use get_option() to check if a must-use plugin is present:
php
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$mu_plugins = get_option(‘active_plugins’);
if (in_array(‘mu-plugin-folder/mu-plugin-file.php’, $mu_plugins)) {
echo ‘Must-use plugin is active!’;
}
This method helps when you’re working with custom plugin setups and need to ensure a must-use plugin is properly installed.
Whether you’re debugging an issue, writing custom code, or just want a quick way to check a plugin’s status, these simple functions make it easy. It’s a quick, reliable way to keep things running smoothly without always jumping into the WordPress dashboard.
Method 3: Inspecting the Plugin Folder
If you want a quick and hassle-free way to check if a plugin is active, a plugin status checker can do the job for you. Instead of going through files or writing code, you can simply install a tool that tells you which plugins are running on your site.
There are several free plugins available that make this process easy. Once installed, these tools scan your site and show you a list of all installed plugins, clearly marking which ones are active and which ones aren’t. Some even alert you if a plugin is outdated or causing conflicts.
This method is especially useful if you manage multiple plugins and don’t want to manually check each one. It’s also helpful if you suspect a plugin is affecting your site but aren’t sure which one. With just a few clicks, you get a full overview without needing to go into your WordPress files or write any code.
If you’re unsure which plugin to use, you can search for “plugin status checker” in the WordPress Plugin Directory. Once installed, you’ll have an easy way to keep track of what’s active on your site, making maintenance and troubleshooting much simpler.
Troubleshooting: What If a WordPress Plugin Seems Active but Doesn’t Work?
For some users, a WordPress plugin appears to be active, but its features are not functioning as needed. If this happens to you, do not panic; there are a few ways to troubleshoot.
One of the most common reasons is the conflicts of one’s other plugins or theme. Some plugins have compatibility issues, especially when the same type of service is provided. Deactivate all your plugins except the one which is not functioning and see whether it starts working. If it does, then there is a conflict. Now reactivate each of your plugins slowly in increments of one until the conflicting plugin has been discovered. If you run into issues even after this, attempt changing your theme to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty Four. It works most of the time so this could be the reason why your theme has so much of an impact.
The problems can also stem directly from the plugin. Step in attempting to resolve this can offer insight into what the underlying issue could be. You can check the error logs for a deeper insight into what is malfunctioning for you. WordPress has its own debugging mode that can capture errors stemming from the plugins themselves. You can enable this feature by adding the following line to your wp-config.php file:
php
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define(‘WP_DEBUG’, true);
define(‘WP_DEBUG_LOG’, true);
Once this is enabled, WordPress will create a log file in wp-content/debug.log where you can see any errors. If you spot an error related to the plugin, you might need to update it, reinstall it, or contact the developer for support.
If none of these steps fix the issue, consider reinstalling the plugin or checking if a recent update caused the problem. Sometimes, rolling back to an older version can help. Taking these simple steps will help you figure out what’s wrong and get your plugin working again.
Conclusion
Attending to your WordPress plugins is critical for your site’s performance, security, and overall functionality. Regardless of if you’re utilizing the dashboard or code view, checking files or applying a plugin status checker, there is always a way to see what is currently running.
No need to panic if a plugin appears to be enabled but is not functioning. Conflicts within the system’s files, outdated versions, or files not included can all create problems but can also be very simple to troubleshoot. Additional steps you can take that won’t require much time include skimming through your list of plugins, turning off conflicting plugins, or enabling debug logging features.
Preventive practices regarding the newest changes made to your plugins’ status will save you in the end. You’ll avoid unwanted surprises and make certain your website is performing effectively.
